Donovan’s comments
“Syrah 70%, Grenache 12%, Carignan 10% and Cinsault 8%. Black and purple fruit, herbs and pepper from nearly 100% whole-bunch fermentation and a fresh, savoury palate. Matured in old French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and almost unfiltered with a further 18 month bottle maturation before release this wine will definitely reward patience and gain complexity over the next decade. 9,185 bottles produced.”

Donovan Rall is producing some of SA’s most sought-after wines. Besides the stellar AVA single-vineyard wines, the continuous improvement of his signature Rall White and Rall Red is what impresses us.

Rall Red is significantly more structured and serious than previous releases with drier and firmer, yet perfectly ripe tannins that will need at least 3 years in bottle before broaching. It is a step up in terms of seriousness and, in stature, it’s now on par with the famed Rall White – one of SA’s most successful white blends.

“70% Syrah, 12% Carignan and the rest Cinsault and Grenache. Bottled earlier than previous vintages to preserve fruit. Some reduction and quite earthy character before red and black fruit, herbs, pepper and spice. Full bodied with fresh acidity and firm tannins, this has a slightly rustic quality about it although it certainly isn’t short of flavour. Sweet upfront but very dry on the finish. – Christian Eedes, 92/100

“A splash of Grenache made it into the blend for the first time in 2016, joining mostly Syrah with Cinsault and Carignan. Whole bunch fermented, this schist-derived cuvée has lots of grip and flavours of liquorice, blackberry and tapenade and the structure to develop in bottle. Illustrating the energy, focus and balance of the 2017 vintage, this is Syrah based with 25% Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache, this is always a very well-judged cuvée that consistently delivers more than the sum of its considerable parts. Savoury, sappy and denser than you think at first, it has considerable grip and ageing potential. 2022-2029” – Tim Atkin: 94 points